HEARTY COUNSEL!

HEARTY COUNSEL!

Prov 27:9

9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

• ^“ He who answers before listening-- that is his folly and his shame” (Prov. 18:13).
• “ …Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (James. 1:19b, 20).
• “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue” (Prov. 17:28).

We have a tendency to try and fix things for people but we often make things worse because we fail to listen carefully. We need to know not only what is going on but why. We need to understand and be understood in order to give and receive wise counsel.

People are slow to divulge their inner issues. We must be worthy of their trust. They must know that we are listening and not simply sitting silently while they talk. There must sense that we really care. If we see their problems through our own framework we will give them answers to our problems instead of their own.

When dealing with people remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudice, and motivated by pride and vanity.

   -- Dale Carnegie

Dear Lord, in my dealings with people today, let me be a good listener and a caring counselor. AMEN